Racks and Cabinets are the Foundation
When designing or upgrading a data center, the foundation of your infrastructure starts with one critical element: the rack or cabinet. While often overlooked in early planning stages, the right enclosure directly impacts scalability, cooling efficiency, cable management, and power distribution. Here are five key considerations to guide your decision when selecting data center cabinets:
1. Ideal Dimensions
Cabinet size matters—not just height, but also width and depth. Standard server racks are typically 42U or 45U tall, but high-density and AI workloads may require taller 48U or 52U enclosures to maximize vertical space. Depth should accommodate modern equipment, with 1100mm to 1200mm being common for deeper, high-performance gear. Always match the cabinet depth to your server specifications and future expansion plans.
2. Weight Capacity: Static and Dynamic
Static load rating refers to the cabinet’s capacity while stationary, while dynamic rating covers what it can handle when being rolled or moved. High-capacity cabinets are essential for dense builds or environments where gear will be preloaded before transport. Look for cabinets rated above 2,000 lbs static and at least 1,200 lbs dynamic to ensure flexibility and durability.
3. High-Density & AI Computing Requirements
AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads demand more power and generate more heat. Cabinets designed for these environments must support increased airflow with perforated doors, side-channel cable management, and support for liquid-cooled components or rear-door heat exchangers. Enhanced cable pathways and power mounting options are also critical for high-density builds.
4. Engineered PDU Integration
Power Distribution Units (PDUs) are not an afterthought—they’re integral to cabinet design. An engineered solution ensures optimal placement for airflow, accessibility, and redundancy. Intelligent PDUs with monitoring and switching capabilities help track power usage and manage loads in real time. Your cabinet should be PDU-ready with vertical rail spacing and proper clearance built in.
5. Selecting a Reputable Supplier
Not all cabinets are created equal, and neither are suppliers. Look for vendors with a proven track record, extensive inventory, and the ability to customize. A reliable supplier should offer manufacturer-direct pricing, fast lead times, and engineering support. Certifications, warranties, and compatibility with standard and custom IT hardware are must-haves.
Global 1 Resources: Your Strategic Partner
At Global 1 Resources, we understand that your infrastructure is only as strong as the cabinets that support it. With decades of experience, exclusive distribution of the PULSE line of racks and PDUs, and unmatched factory-direct pricing, we’re your go-to source for quality, speed, and expertise. Whether you're outfitting an edge site, enterprise data center, or AI compute environment, our team provides the strategic guidance and premium products you need to build with confidence.
Ready to spec your next project? Let Global 1 Resources help you do it right.